Destination guides > Australia > Western Australia > Batavia Coast > Geraldton
Geraldton
Western Australia’s third largest city is a busy cray fishing and mining town that doesn’t go out of its way to appeal to tourists.
It is a pleasant place with enough attractions to keep you occupied for a day and it is a good spot to stay the night if you’re driving up the coast. Geraldton is a departure point for trips to the Houtman Abrolhos Islands and it is also a popular windsurfing destination with internationally renowned windsurfing spots including Coronation Beach, or “Coro”.
Many European maritime explorers encountered the nearby Houtman Abrolhos Islands during the 17th and 18th century, but the town of Geraldton wasn’t established until 1850.
Practical information
Geraldton Visitor Information Centre
Corner Bayly Street & Chapman Road, Geraldton
Tel (08) 9921 3999
Website www.geraldtontourist.com.au
Open Mon-Fri 8.30am-5pm, Sat 9am-4.30pm, Sun 9.30am-4.30pm
Coming & going
Greyhound (tel 1300 473 946) stops in Geraldton en route betweeen Perth and Broome and Transwa (tel 1300 662 205) coaches go to Kalbarri and Perth. Coaches terminate at the train station on Chapman Road.
Local transport
Although central Geraldton is small enough to walk around, there is a good network of local bus routes that are a cheap and easy way to get around town.
Route 800, the City Clipper, is a circular route that takes in most of the city centre. Route 800 is a free service, as are any buses that run between Northgate Shopping Centre and Anzac Terrace.
Hostel accommodation
Batavia Backpackers
Corner Chapman Road & Bayly Street, Geraldton
Tel (08) 9964 3001
Foreshore Backpackers
172 Marine Terrace, Geraldton
Tel (08) 9921 3275
Freemasons’ Hotel
79 Marine Terrace, Geraldton
Tel (08) 9964 3457
Sightseeing, museums & tourist attractions
Museum of Western Australia
The Geraldton branch of the Museum of Western Australia has exhibits about local history and wildlife with an excellent shipwreck gallery and a cinema that shows an interesting film about the shipwreck and mutiny of the Batavia.
Marine Terrace, Geraldton
Tel (08) 9921 5080
Admission free
Open 10am-4pm daily
St Francis Xavier Cathedral
Although nothing special by European standards, this cathedral is particularly impressive for a small Australian town. It was designed by Monsignor Hawes and it is regarded as one of the best historic churches in the country.
Corner Cathedral Avenue & Maitland Street, Geraldton
Tel (08) 9937 1104
Admission free
Tours Mon 10am, Fri 2pm
Sydney Memorial
Located on Mount Scott near the city centre, the HMAS Sydney Memorial features a dome of 645 silver gulls, each one representing one of the crew that lost their lives when the navy ship sank in 1941.
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